Utilization of Small Diameter Timbers in Pultruded Long Strand Composites.

摘要

The feasibility of utilizing a pultrusion process to produce long strand composites was modeled using solid-mechanics, and the use of small diameter timber as a material source for strand based composites was analyzed. The success of a strand composite pultrusion process is dependent on the tensile capacity of the strand composite exceeding the accumulated pulling force developed in the pultrusion die. Three under-utilized species of small diameter timber commonly found in the Pacific Northwest were characterized for their strand quality and composite properties. Physical attributes such as; strand dimensions, grain angle, and strand orientation within a mat were characterized. Ultimate tensile strength and tension modulus of both individual strands and prototype strand composites at a range of densities were also characterized. Other properties that were also characterized were variation in density along a panel and the percentage of usable strands yielded from the stranding process.